Background
She was born in Yambol, and represented the club Tundzha Yambol.
She was born in Yambol, and represented the club Tundzha Yambol.
She is still the Bulgarian 1500 metres record holder. In 1977 she was only 0.05 seconds behind the gold medallist Jane Colebrook. Also, she continued a strong tradition of Bulgarian 800 metres runners, who had taken medals at the previous European Indoor Championships in 1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976.
Other than Petrova, these medals were taken by Svetla Zlateva, Stefka Yordanova, Rositsa Pekhlivanova, Nikolina Shtereva and Lilyana Tomova.
In 1978 she participated at the European Championships, finishing fourth in the 800 metres and winning the bronze medal in the 1500 metres. In August 1979 Petrova tested positive for anabolic steroids and was subsequently banned from sport for 8 months.
At the 1980 Olympic Games she reached the semi-final of the 800 metres and only the heats of the 1500 metres event. In 1982 she finished ninth in the 1500 metres at the European Indoor Championships, and competed at the 1982 European Championships without reaching the final.
At the 1983 World Championships she reached the semi-final of the 800 metres event, where she was knocked out.
She was also knocked out in the 1500 metres event, in the heats. She still holds the Bulgarian record in 1500 metres.